UNDERGRADUATE
Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Turn curiosity, creativity, and an instinct for spotting opportunities into the ability to build businesses and bring ideas to market.
Create, Launch, and Grow
In the Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIENT) program at Penn State Smeal College of Business, you'll develop the entrepreneurial mindset to solve difficult problems, create value, and turn ideas into action.
Whether you want to start a company or drive innovation inside an established organization, you'll build the business skills to bring what's next to life.
Through coursework, leadership opportunities, and hands-on experience, you’ll:
Recognize market opportunities and emerging trends
Develop products, services, business models, and ventures
Apply entrepreneurial thinking to complex business challenges
Test ideas, navigate uncertainty, and make informed decisions
Lead innovation in an established organization or launch one of your own
What You'll Study
Featured Courses
Creativity & Innovation: Generate ideas, spot trends, and identify opportunities.
Venture Creation: Turn ideas into launch-ready businesses.
Technology: Apply emerging tech for competitive advantage.
Investment: Secure capital, partnerships, and growth.
Negotiation: Strengthen relationships and outcomes.
Transformation: Solve challenges and improve performance.
What You Can Do with a Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Degree
Innovation Managers
Lead initiatives that help organizations develop new products, improve processes, and grow. Median salary: $101,190
Business Development Managers
Identify new markets, partnerships, and growth opportunities that create long-term value. Median salary: $138,060
Entrepreneurs and Venture Associates
: Launch new ventures, support startup growth, or evaluate investment opportunities in emerging companies. Median salary: Varies based on venture stage, investment performance, and ownership structure.
77%
Placement Rate
$60,625
Average Starting Salary
#27
Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
The Princeton Review and Entrepreneu
Apply Innovation Beyond the Classroom
Farrell Center for Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Connect with Penn State's entrepreneurship hub through programs, events, mentorship, venture resources, and industry engagement. The Farrell Center has supported innovation and entrepreneurship education at Smeal since 1999.
Evaluate Real Companies for a Real Fund
Work alongside investors through the Propel Penn State Seed Fund and Garber Venture Capital Fund, analyzing live deals, sizing markets, and assessing early-stage companies for actual investment decisions.
Pitch Competitions and Entrepreneurship Programs
Develop and present original business ideas through startup competitions, entrepreneurial initiatives, and innovation-focused student programs, with feedback from real investors and entrepreneurs.
Internships With Growth-Oriented Organizations
Gain professional experience with organizations such as American Eagle Outfitters, BNY, Johnson and Johnson, Merck, Marriott International, and PNC Financial.
Sigma Nu Tau Entrepreneurship Honor Society
Connect with fellow student entrepreneurs, develop leadership skills, and engage with Penn State's entrepreneurship community.
CIENT in Action
Hannah Holmes, Corporate Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Meet Hannah Holmes
Hannah Holmes is a Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship student and CIA Ambassador who gained hands-on consulting experience working with a social enterprise client in Management 365.
"Working directly with a social enterprise showed me how business can create positive social and environmental impact," said Holmes. "Consulting with a real client gave me hands-on experience applying innovative ideas to challenges that matter."
Is CIENT Right for You?
CIENT Is a Strong Fit If You:
Notice opportunities others overlook
Enjoy developing new ideas and testing them
Are interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, and business strategy
Like solving problems without obvious answers
Want to build products, services, or organizations
Are drawn to building things that don’t exist yet
Apply to Smeal
Build the entrepreneurial mindset and business skills to launch ventures, drive innovation, and create lasting value. Apply today.
Connect With Us
Penn State Undergraduate Admissions
Smeal College of BusinessSmeal Undergraduate Advising
Management & Organization Department
More Information: CIENT Degree
Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship is designed for students interested in both launching new ventures and driving innovation within established organizations.
You'll learn how businesses identify opportunities, develop new products and services, respond to changing markets, and grow sustainably.
Whether your goal is to launch a new venture or help an established organization grow and evolve, you'll develop the entrepreneurial mindset and business expertise to lead innovation.
The Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Society (CIES) fosters a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at Penn State.
Members connect with fellow students through networking events, professional development, and discussions focused on business growth, innovation, and new ventures.
Happy Valley Venture Capital is a student-run organization focused on venture investing, startup evaluation, and entrepreneurship. Members learn how investors evaluate startups, assess business models, and engage with founders while building analytical and investment skills.
The Nittany Entrepreneur Society (NES) connects students interested in entrepreneurship, startups, and innovation. Through networking opportunities, educational programming, speaker events, and collaboration with fellow student entrepreneurs, members gain exposure to the challenges and opportunities involved in creating and growing new ventures.
Learn About Nittany Entrepreneur Society
Nittany Lion Consulting Group provides students with opportunities to develop consulting, problem-solving, and client-facing skills through project-based experiences. Members work collaboratively to analyze business challenges, develop recommendations, and gain experience applying business concepts in professional consulting environments.
Learn About Nittany Lion Consulting Group
Artificial intelligence is giving innovators new ways to develop products, evaluate markets, and test ideas. At Penn State Smeal, you'll learn how to combine AI with creativity, business judgment, and entrepreneurial thinking to bring new ideas to market.